Leo Brincat (The Sunday Times, March 15) claims that I do not distinguish between my role as a Nationalist Party strategist and that of Malta's Permanent Representative to the European Union.

The circumstances of his political life may have made Mr Brincat cynical as to the integrity of others, and he may have come to the conclusion that if a man is in politics, then he neither knows how to behave nor what is acceptable behaviour.

He cannot seem to decide whether he regards me as a politician or an ambassador. Most of the time, I am a politician who can be attacked, disparaged, mocked and vilified. But when it suits, I am to be considered an ambassador who must not express an opinion or react in the slightest fashion.

Hence, while the Labour Party and its various voices are perfectly within their rights to express their views about me in the most unpleasant manner possible, I must adopt the stance of a target at a funfair coconut-shy, and sit there silently accepting potshots from the Labour leader and his shadow ministers.

If I am a politician who can be targeted, then I am also a politician who can speak. On the other hand, if I am an ambassador who has no right to speak politically, then I am also an ambassador who should not be targeted like a politician. Mr Brincat and his party cannot have it both ways.

Compared to what has been said about me by the Labour Party over the past two decades or so, much of which amounts to little more than a deluge of dross, lies and gross insinuations - some of them dangerously irresponsible - I believe that I have been most circumspect in my response.